Remington 870 - Just a Combat Shotgun?

G

gungho

New member
I've heard a lot about the Remington 870 12 gauge and that it is a great combat shotgun. I've shot one a few times and also a Mossberg 500 and I prefer the Remington.

I'm looking to expand my hunting to game bird and I was wondering if this would make a good hunting shotgun as well as combat/home defense?

I'm also looking to get into skeet shooting to practice for when I hunt birds.

Any opinions? I'm sure there are. :D
 
There is no American made combat only shotgun with the exception of the AA12. there are variants of many leaning more towards the needs of combat. The standard 870 wingmaster or Mossberg 500 are great hunting guns when set up according to your hunting needs.
Brent
 
I shoot skeet with my 870 no problem. It is also the gun I'll be using for bird hunting this season.

It is also the only shotgun I own. I'm not sure if I'd use a different shotgun if I had the option. Don't have the experience to decide yet.
 
the 870 Wingmaster is considered one of America's premier hunting shotguns, did I miss another meeting? has something superceded it in my absense?
 
I've got an 870 12 gauge... All Advantage Camo, double bead sight, Super Full choke. Taylor Your loads to the game, and that 870 is a Do-All....

Like most Shotguns can be....
 
Based on numbers sold (10 million +), the 870 is the premier hunting shotgun in the U.S. There are other, excellent shotguns for that purpose that many knowledgable hunters prefer, but the marketplace has basically voted for the 870 as our best hunting shotgun for 5-6 decades now.
 
Any opinions? I'm sure there are.
Click to expand...

Yes. I have taken birds, squirrels, turkey, and rabbit with my old 870. Not too mention thousands of skeet. The 870, in my opinion, is the smoothest operating shotgun out there. My old (think early 70's) 870 made my Nova look, feel, and pump like a cheap toy.

There are two types of Pump Shotguns, the Remington 870, and everything else.
 
I've hunted with 870s since 1959. Everything from dove to deer has fallen to them.

In fact, my guess is that with ten million 870s out there, more game has fallen to the 870 than any other shotgun.
 
The only real difference is not the fire control part of the gun. The problem with a combat shotgun is it generally has too open a choke to be a good general purpose bird gun. It will work for close range shooting, but you really will need a second barrel preferably with screw in chokes or old take off full or modified barrel to make the most of the gun for hunting. rc
 
870 v. 500

Both are classics, USA made, durable, and can be tweaked to hunt, fight, or shoot claybirds.

The 870 is a steel receiver and is heavier than a 500, all things equal. The steel rec gives great strength, I have a brother in law whose 870 has digested skazillion trap loads and keeps ticking. The weight absorbs recoil some too.

The 500 has an alloy receicver (alum?) and is a bit lighter, again all other things equal. The 500 has become popular w/ turkey hunters here for that very reason, cause you tend to walk alot, and there's no need for weight for a smooth swing and follow through, gobbler hunting is about one well aimed (not pointed) shot. Same for the polymer framed Nova. But I have never seen a 500 in the hands of a serious clay shooter. And in the magnum 3.5 versions, the 500's kick HARD. I know several guys who shoot 3" shell in their Mossy's, saying that's all they need to kill a gobbler in range anyhow.
 
I just picked up an 870 Express with 28" barrel for mostly shooting trap with the kids. I also looked at the Mossy 500, but didnt like the alum receiver, the slide forearm was a LOT looser than the 870, the looks and feel just didnt appeal to me.

I know the 870 is not optimal for trap, but I didnt want to sink a lot of money into something I might not wind up using very much (a dedicated o/u trap gun). Plus the 870 is flexable to also serve as a HD gun with simply a barrel change. We have a friend that shoots trap and skeet with an 870 and a short barrel, and kicks butt with it.
 
R-870 confusion

When you mention the Remington 870, you're talking about a family of shotguns, not a specific model. To the gray beards, like me, we think of the venerable 870 Wingmaster with it's shiny wood and deep polished blue steel when an 870 is mentioned. The military and LE communities think of the Special Purpose and Tactical 870 models. Those looking for a budget first shotgun have probably compared the Mossberg 500 against an 870 Express model. When espousing the virtues of the 870, especially to potential shooters, please remember to mention which 870 you have in mind.

Members' reports of the 870 being a wonderful old sporting and hunting gun are mostly based on the classic Wingmaster models not the modern "cheapened-down" Express models with plastic parts and dull metal finishes. With the cheapest Wingmaster's MSRP ($785) more than twice that of the basic Express ($385), it's easy to understand why the former has a dwindling market share. It's hard for the new shooter to justify a Wingmaster when he can get an Express with a few extra barrels and have some cash left over.

There was a time when the Winchester Model of 1912 (M12) ruled the roost as the pump shotgun of choice (it still does for many). Then, in 1951, Remington's cheaper 870 was introduced, and it eventually drove the old W-M12s out of business. Since 1987, the Expresses has been doing the same thing to the original 870s. Remington presently lists 28 different Express models and the Wingmasters are down to just 4 models. Who knows if there will be any Wingmasters available next year. If you want a piece of history, this may be your last opportunity to get new "real" 870. Of course, you can always go looking for a sweet shooting W-M12.
 
I have only one shotgun it the 870 Mag. Express. I use it for hunting, trap, skeet, clays. With choke tubes theres not alot the gun can't do.
 
Gungho, the link you have is for a left-handed 870. Are you looking for a left handed shotgun? If yes, it will put a new perspective on your shotgun search. Sadly, Remington no longer lists a Wingmaster LH model. For the south-paws they list only one Express model. And, spare barrels (and some other parts) for the LH action may be difficult to obtain. Because of this, many left-handers shy away from LH specific shotguns and opt for the ambidextrous bottom load/eject models like the Browning BPS. The Brownings are well respected and very handsome and there are about a dozen model variations cheaper than a Wingmaster.
 
I am indeed looking for a left handed shotgun, which is part of the reason I settled on the 870 as the Mossberg did not list one.

I'll look into the Brownings as well. Thanks again for the input.

P.S. - According to Gallery of Guns, they've got two Browning BPS;
http://www.galleryofguns.com/Genie/...2&type=Shotgun&cal=12+Gauge&fin=Blue&sit=Bead

A little more expensive, but that might or might not be deterrent right now. It ejects out the bottom? I'll have to watch some videos of being shot as I know no one that owns one.
 
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